Electrolytic microbubbler matrices

S. K. Lee*, E. Loth, C. Liu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The feasibility of generating mono-disperse micro-bubbles by electrolysis in tap water using micro-fabricated devices was investigated towards the development of a high-density bubbler matrix. The effect of electrode geometry and size, as well as artificial nucleation sites was tested using single and arrays of electrode pairs. The results indicated that circular electrode node shapes (as opposed to triangular or square nodes) nucleated bubbles from the node center and exhibited fewer instances of bubble coalescence and a higher bubble detachment frequency when operated with small anode-anode and cathode-cathode spacings. Artificial nucleation sites, produced by etching the surface of the electrodes, were shown to be able to limit nucleation to one site (though in some cases, bubbles formed underneath the dielectric layer) as well as increase current efficiency. A device with thousands of electrode pairs (a matrix of nodes) was also fabricated in order to generate a bubble cloud close to the channel wall. At a flow speed of 14 cm/s, this device demonstrated the ability to generate a bubble cloud reasonably close to the wall 20 mm from the trailing edge of the matrix of nodes, with the void fraction peaking at 1 mm from the channel wall and returning to zero at 3 mm. It yielded efficiencies greater than similar thin-wire devices, but spurious bubbles formed on the device, indicating that additional work is needed to develop this technology in a matrix format.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) FED
Pages451-459
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2005
Event2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2005 - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Nov 5 2005Nov 11 2005

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) FED
Volume261 FED
ISSN (Print)0888-8116

Other

Other2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period11/5/0511/11/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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